Rep. Ritchie Torres Advocates for Sweeping Public Health Reforms in Wake of Mpox Response Critique

In the wake of a critical report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which highlighted numerous failings in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ approach to the mpox outbreak, calls for a comprehensive revision of public health emergency protocols are intensifying. The report, underscoring the absence of strategic coordination and reliable communication, points to a potential increase in outbreak severity and heightened global health threats. These findings have spurred U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat, to propose significant legislative changes.

Rep. Torres has introduced the Coordinated Agency Response Enhancement (CARE) Act, aiming at overhauling the nation’s approach to managing public health emergencies. By addressing the systemic issues flagged by the GAO, Torres’s legislation seeks to ensure a more unified and effective response to health crises, emphasizing the urgent need for reform in federal public health emergency management. The initiative represents a proactive step towards mitigating future public health threats and enhancing nationwide preparedness through streamlined communication and response strategies.